Ready for Soon

Ready for Soon

Revelation 22: ⁶ Then the angel said to me, “These words are true and can be trusted. And the Lord God, who gives his Spirit to the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must happen very soon.”

⁷ “Listen!” says Jesus. “I am coming soon! Happy are those who obey the prophetic words in this book!”

 

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Waiting on the bus in the cold seemed like a bad idea to me. We were on the corner of a fast food restaurant. I heard someone say “The bus is coming soon.” But I figured I would go inside the restaurant to warm up. I got distracted and was not looking as attentively. The bus came and went and I was left waiting.

 

• I did not believe I would miss the bus.
• I figured that I had been miserable long enough, so I took matters in my own hands.
• I made a mistake by looking for temporary comfort when I should have remained ready.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, heard directly from HIM. “Listen!” JESUS said with urgency. “I AM coming soon! Happy are those who obey the prophetic words in this book!”

 

My Observations:

• JESUS said HE will return soon so I should act like it could be any day now.
• JESUS said to obey the prophecies shown to John which should change my actions.
• JESUS wants me to have a blessing, so HE told all of us what HE is going to do.

 

Hatred makes me not ready. I mean, when I am busy hating other people, I miss the bus of serving GOD’s people with love. I may get distracted by trying to prove his or her wrong, justifying my sinful activity. BUT GOD wants me ready.

 

But what does ready look like? Ready means believing that I need a Savior to confess my sins to. HE will then give me the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me, to guide me to serve those HE is seeking to redeem. I look forward to JESUS return, but until then I will serve those HE sends me to or sends to me.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the angel said “These words are true and can be trusted” to the writer?
• Have you ever missed out on something because you stopped waiting?
• Will you refocus your thinking so you can remain ready for CHRIST by serving those HE is seeking to redeem?

Ready At All Times

Ready At All Times

1 Peter 3: Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, ¹⁶ but do it with gentleness and respect. Keep your conscience clear, so that when you are insulted, those who speak evil of your good conduct as followers of Christ will become ashamed of what they say. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer for doing good, if this should be God's will, than for doing evil. 

 

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Furious at the people who “attacked” me at work, I thought of ways to fight back. A thought crossed my mind to ask GOD to beat my enemies up. I had the justification because the attack was unprovoked.

 

• All I could think about was “getting even.”
• My performance started slipping because I wanted to fight.
• I lost sleep due to thinking of the actions of other people.

 

Peter provided some necessary words to those who were being chased by their religious leaders who wanted to kill them because of their belief in CHRIST. Petr suggested that they “be ready” to present the Gospel with gentleness, respect and a clear conscience.

 

My Observations:

• Thinking of evil retaliation can grow hatred and bitterness in my heart.
• Getting back at someone makes me “not ready” to explain the Gospel.
• Practicing GOD’s love and peace makes me “ready to answer” questions about HIS love.

 

Retaliation is not my job, BUT GOD’s. I mean, HE said “Vengeance is min, I will repay.” When HE used these words, HE did not include me in the “how” part of the method of repaying. So where does that leave me?

 

HE want my heart to “be ready” to show HIS love. HE desires that I explain the love of HIS SON in a non-combative respectful way. This way I can keep my conscience clear and let go of any hatred that may be growing in my heart. I am glad GOD gives me a way to let go of bitterness and to “be ready” when HE sends someone to me.

 

Challenge

• What hope is the writer talking about?
• Have you ever had a chance to show peace but you lost your patience and showed frustration or complaints?
• Would you listen to the Gospel from someone who is complaining or combative?
• Will you consider walking more in peace so you can “be ready” to present the Gospel with gentleness and respect today?

Readiness

 

Readiness

Ephesians 6: ¹⁴ So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, ¹⁵ and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace.

 

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“Where is the rest of the presentation?” was the question that caught me by surprise. A senior leader was practicing and my part was incomplete. I had to make up something to keep the situation from boiling over. I blamed it on the technology and said I will try to “recover” it soon.

 

• I was not ready with the truth.
• I was not ready with what I was supposed to be doing.
• I was not ready to take on responsibility and I flew by the seat of my pants.

 

“Stand ready” were the words of inspiration Paul gave everyone. Life had become hard for many, and people were getting discouraged. They turned to exaggerations, faking it until they made it and would no longer speak about JESUS, rather their own pursuits.

 

My Observations

• Life’s situations can take me away from GOD’s truth when I am not ready.
• I will turn to ways that are unrighteous unless I get ready.
• My own pursuits, desires and dreams can keep me too busy to open my mouth for the “Good News of peace.”

 

“Stand ready” means I have gotten into a position where I am ready. I mean, I needed to have already changed my mind to serve GOD before life’s storms hit. When life comes at me, then I can “Stand ready” versus falling down.

 

GOD wants me to stay away from the world’s manipulations so I can accept HIS righteousness, and so HE can put me in places where I can speak the “Good News of peace.” I am glad GOD puts me on HIS path to “Stand Ready” versus getting ready someday.

 

Challenge

• What do you think the writer means by “readiness?”
• Is there another path to self-preservation in this passage?
• Will you protect yourself against life’s challenges by becoming more prepared to speak about the “Good News of peace” which is the salvation through belief in JESUS today?

No Obligation

No Obligation

2 Corinthians 9: ⁴ However, if the people from Macedonia should come with me and find out that you are not ready, how ashamed we would be—not to speak of your shame—for feeling so sure of you! ⁵ So I thought it was necessary to urge these believers to go to you ahead of me and get ready in advance the gift you promised to make. Then it will be ready when I arrive, and it will show that you give because you want to, not because you have to.

 

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“Aw, do I have to?” were my words of discontent to an uncomfortable request that would fill a need but require me to stop doing my leisure activities for the moment. “Yes, you have to” was the reply.

 

• I was mad the rest of the time after meeting the need.
• I did the task but not with my heart.
• I could not enjoy my leisure after I finished the task.

 

Paul continues to speak about the excitement he had over those who volunteered their time and treasures to help other people. Some people had pledged their help, and now it was time to act on that pledge. Some were sent ahead to make sure everything was ready and those who pledged were willing versus obligated.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to serve HIM willingly.
• GOD wants me to give to others willingly.
• GOD wants me to pray for others, cry with others and give HIS word to others willingly.

 

Free will is confusing. I mean, on one hand I would love to be able to do what I want to do. On the other hand, I want GOD to simply show me exactly what HE wants me to do so I will not make a mistake. GOD sees things differently.

 

HE created humans with free will to choose HIM and HIS SON, who is the only way to salvation. People can reject HIM and pick and choose which portions of HIS revealed word they want to. JESUS loves HIS creation so much that HE allowed us to kill HIM. HE then provides an opportunity to make it up by having a no obligation relationship with HIM. I am glad HE loves me and I am willing to serve.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer urging the believers to do?
• Have you ever promised something, but circumstances prevented you from fulfilling your obligation?
• If GOD sent people to you to hear about HIS SON, would you be ready to speak joyfully even in the middle of your current circumstances?
• Will you look at your relationship with GOD differently and remove all obligations and simply love HIM today?

Intentional

 

Intentional

1 Corinthians 16: Now, concerning what you wrote about the money to be raised to help God's people in Judea. You must do what I told the churches in Galatia to do. ² Every Sunday each of you must put aside some money, in proportion to what you have earned, and save it up, so that there will be no need to collect money when I come. ³ After I come, I shall give letters of introduction to those you have approved, and send them to take your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ If it seems worthwhile for me to go, then they can go along with me.

 

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Driving in a certain area of this city, I noticed the restaurants, stores and services. I noted what I saw so I could come back one day. But when I served a homeless shelter, the van driver drove the same street pointing out homeless people. I did not notice them! The longer we rode around the more embarrassed I was because they were right in front of my face and I did not see them.

 

• The homeless were invisible to me.
• The homeless were unseen because I was thinking of my own problems.
• The homeless were not even a thought during my normal day to day escapades.

 

Paul addresses what to do with the money they raised for those in need. They must have had a desire to give and wanted to know how. Paul gave a guideline to be intentional and set aside some money to give to those in need. He also challenged them to “go” and see those in need.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to be intentional about giving to those in need.
• GOD wants me to also go and help those in need.
• GOD wants me to be checked out by others to ensure I am serving with the right motive.

 

Serving the needy is important to GOD. I mean, there are enough evil people who rob, steal and kill. GOD sees that too. BUT HE sends people to comfort those in need. There are many who need and people cannot see.

 

Some may appear rich but are in need. Others may just be barely hanging on but appear as if everything is alight. GOD wants me to be intentional in seeking those in need so my service will be to HIM. I am glad people saw me when I was in need and equally glad to serve those HE shows me.

 

Challenge

• Do you see the desire to give form this group?
• What ways can you be more intentional in your giving?
• Is there something you could postpone so you can give to those in need?
• Are you in need and barely hanging on?

 

Dear LORD, this is a special prayer for those in need. Please provide today. amen

Ready and Willing

Luke 19: ²⁸ After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. ²⁹ As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ³⁰ ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³¹ If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” say, “The Lord needs it.”’

³² Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. ³³ As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’

³⁴ They replied, ‘The Lord needs it.’

³⁵ They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. ³⁶ As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

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“Can I borrow your van” was the question. “No, it is leased” was my answer, trying to avoid more expensive mileage. “Can I borrow your van” was the question from another person. “No, it needs brakes and tires” was my answer. Both were true at that time.

• There were times when I held back.
• There were times when I put something to the side for myself.
• There were times when I could have given but was afraid to.

The owners of the donkey may have been preserving it for something special or they may have thought the donkey wasn’t ready. But when JESUS requested the donkey through HIS disciples, they let it go, not knowing when or if they would get it back.

• GOD wants me to be generous.
• GOD wants me to let stuff go.
• GOD wants me to see that people are more special than my stuff.

It never will be a convenient time for someone to borrow something or need something. In fact, the needs seem to come when I have the least amount to give. BUT GOD seems to enjoy stretching me in this area. Maybe it is because I am holding onto things a little too tight in the first place.

GOD wants me to be generous with everything. While it is a long journey to truly being generous, I can start small and work my way up. GOD is generous to me.

• Are you holding onto stuff that someone else can use?
• Is GOD calling you to give to someone who needs your last dollar?
• Will you allow GOD to use your possessions today to grow HIS kingdom?